The EVZ U21 Elite Team came close to pulling off a major upset in the playoff quarterfinals. After three games, Reto Suri’s team surprisingly held a 2-1 lead. As a reminder, Zug finished the regular season in 7th place, while Zurich finished in 2nd. 

But in the final game, they lacked a bit of energy. Just as in Game 4, the EVZ conceded three goals in quick succession on Friday night in Zurich, which ultimately proved to be their undoing. They went into the first intermission trailing 0–3. Jan Daron’s goal ensured that Zug won the second period. But the big comeback never materialized in the final period. The GCK Lions win the game 6-2 and the series 3-2. 

For the EVZ, who have fought with great dedication, the season isn’t over yet. In the ranking round, they will face the other teams that were eliminated in the playoff quarterfinals. The Zug team will take on HC Davos as early as Wednesday (6:30 p.m. at OYM in Cham) and will then finish the season with two away games against Fribourg (March 22) and the SCL Tigers (March 27). 

Playoff, U21-Elit

GCK Lions (2nd) – EV Zug (7th) 3:2

GCK Lions – EVZ 2:3

EVZ – GCK Lions 0:1 a.E.

GCK Lions – EVZ 2:3 a.E.

EVZ – GCK Lions 2:5

GCK Lions – EVZ 6:2

And once again, the away team wins.

The quarter-final series in the U21 Elite Playoffs between the GCK Lions (2nd place in the regular season) and EVZ (7th place in the regular season) continues to provide plenty of excitement. On Wednesday evening, head coach Reto Suri’s boys had the opportunity to seal the deal and end the best-of-five series with a 3-1 victory.

But EVZ got off to a horror start at the OYM in Cham. After 142 seconds, they were already 0-3 down. It was too much of a deficit to overcome. In the end, Zug suffered a 2-5 defeat, with Kevin Haas and Jan Daron scoring for Zug.

This means there will be a decider. Game 5 will take place on Friday evening at 7.45 p.m. at the Swiss Life Arena in Zurich. The winner will advance to the playoff semi-finals. 

What a thriller and what a victory for the U21 Elite Team at the Swiss Life Arena on Sunday evening!

In the 83rd minute, Kevin Haas scored to give EVZ a 3-2 victory and a 2-1 lead in the playoff quarterfinal against the GCK Lions. After close games in Game 1 and Game 2, Game 3 was decided in double overtime. The game was also close in regular time. The EVZ U21 Elite conceded the 2-2 equalizer just four seconds before the end. Gian Körner had previously turned an early 0-1 deficit around with a double. Körner also recorded an assist for the game-winner in the 83rd minute. 

Thanks to their second away win in Zurich, the U21 Elite team now leads the quarterfinal series 2-1. They need one more win to reach the semifinals, which would be a huge success after finishing 7th in the regular season. Game 4 will take place on Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the OYM (Cham). Fans enjoy free admission. 

The U21 Elite Team came close to victory in the second game of the quarterfinal series against the GCK Lions, but in the end it wasn’t quite enough.

After 60 minutes of play, the score remains goalless, leading to overtime. Defender Mischa Geisser receives a costly 2-minute penalty after 64 minutes. The GCK Lions capitalize on this and tie the series at 1-1 thanks to this goal. 

However, the Elit team also gave the regular season runners-up more than a run for their money in Game 2. So after two games, everything is still up for grabs. Game 3 will take place on Sunday evening, March 8, at 6 p.m. 

Exclamation mark from the U21 Elite team at the start of the playoffs!

In the first game of the best-of-five series, coach Reto Suri’s team wins 3-2 away at the GCK Lions after the EVZ’s elite team finished the regular season in 7th place and the Zurich team in 2nd place. In the Swiss Life Arena on Wednesday evening, the EVZ turns Game 1 around in the final third. Gian Körner and Nicolas Kaufmann scored the decisive goals to give Zug a 1-0 lead in the series.

Game 2 takes place on Friday at 6.30 pm at the OYM in Cham. Spectators enjoy free admission. The EVZ is looking forward to numerous supporters!